So I've now got 4 batches under my belt, but my first 2 are the only ones ready for tasting.
The first was Octane IPA kit from Midwest. It took 8 weeks before I could classify it as "tasting good". I had some other home brewers taste it and they said it tasted pretty much on, but maybe a little sweet. The only thing I can think of I did wrong is drop my unsanitized wine thief into it at brew time. I assume if it were an infection, I'd have more problems than just being a little sweet. I also don't have gravity readings since I was flustered being that it was my first batch. Is this possibly due to a high fermentation temperature?
My second is pretty much useless. I brewed the Smooth Nut Brown kit from Midwest. I did make a mistake here - I added too much water to top it off. I tried to siphon some of it out, but I'm sure that caused issues. Instead of 5 gallons, it was closer to 6. It has been bottled for 7 weeks and honestly it tastes like a Miller Lite. Also, the head varies from bottle to bottle. Some have tons of good, thick head, and others have nothing.
Are my others destined for the same fate?
The first was Octane IPA kit from Midwest. It took 8 weeks before I could classify it as "tasting good". I had some other home brewers taste it and they said it tasted pretty much on, but maybe a little sweet. The only thing I can think of I did wrong is drop my unsanitized wine thief into it at brew time. I assume if it were an infection, I'd have more problems than just being a little sweet. I also don't have gravity readings since I was flustered being that it was my first batch. Is this possibly due to a high fermentation temperature?
My second is pretty much useless. I brewed the Smooth Nut Brown kit from Midwest. I did make a mistake here - I added too much water to top it off. I tried to siphon some of it out, but I'm sure that caused issues. Instead of 5 gallons, it was closer to 6. It has been bottled for 7 weeks and honestly it tastes like a Miller Lite. Also, the head varies from bottle to bottle. Some have tons of good, thick head, and others have nothing.
Are my others destined for the same fate?